Report on S&T Cooperation between Europe and the United States of America

While the US is one of the most important industrial partners of the EU, information on the means and extent of S&T cooperation between Europe and the US is neither systematically nor readily available. Often countries themselves re-orientate their strategies and internationalisation of their S&T policies according to emerging competitiveness and economic challenges. To obtain better insights into current S&T cooperation of Europe with the US, a questionnaire has been circulated to the delegates of the Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC) in 2010. This aimed at providing an overview of their S&T cooperation policies, their dynamics, government strategies and related experiences in S&T cooperation with the US. Based on analysis of questionnaire responses, this report provides a short assessment of the status of public S&T cooperation. The analysis draws on 26 completed questionnaires covering 22 MS and 4 associated countries to FP7 (i.e. SFIC observer countries) and an additional questionnaire representing activities of the European Commission. As agreed by the SFIC Task Force on Priority Setting this report presents a simple analysis of the data received, without introducing additional elements/analytical processes such as comparative analysis using input-output indicators or benchmarking. Report summarizes the main findings in S&T cooperation with the US from a comparative perspective. Where possible, it points to underlying reasons for successful practices in the EU-US S&T cooperation in different thematic areas, especially in the field of energy research. Hence good practices, common objectives and open questions were identified, which, in turn, fed more focused discussions and possible transnational coordination of certain internationalisation policies of SFIC members and observers with the US.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Capacities Map 2011 - Update on the R&D Investments in Three Selected Priority Technologies of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan: Wind, PV and CSP

Collective R&D investments in the three selected low-carbon (LC) energy sectors (wind, PV and CSP) and the share of corporate, national and EU public R&D appropriations in 2008 were assessed by a method comparable with the previous SET Plan capacities map. Collective R&D investments in the three selected priority energy sectors were approximately 40% higher than the 2007 values and amounted to €1.23 billion. The corporate sector contributed more than half of the overall R&D investments in the three priority energy technologies in 2008: 84 % in wind technology, 56 % in PV and 55 % in CSP. The overall corporate R&D expenditures in Europe accounted for close to €850 m, whereas public R&D expenditures by the EU Member States (and also CH and NO) were €303 m and public EU investments were €80.6 m (including FP6/FP7 and CIP-IEE programmes, but excluding SF/CF as well as EIB and ERDF financing). Both public and corporate R&D investments in wind, PV and CSP energy technologies are largely concentrated in a limited number of the EU Member States — wind: DE, DK and ES; PV: DE, FR and IT; CSP: IT, ES and DE. The countries with high levels of public R&D support also accounted for the largest corporate R&D investments in the revised sectors, suggesting that public and industrial research investments complement one another. European corporate R&D remains the world leader in terms of investments in the wind sector in 2008 with 76 % of the world’s total corporate R&D investments. The PV sector's corporate R&D investments in 2008 were distributed equally among the Europe, the US and Asia, each holding approximately 1/3 of the R&D investments (with Europe slightly ahead). In the CSP sector, Europe is leading with close to 70 % corporate R&D investments followed by the US, while Asia and the rest of the word have negligible shares in the sector's corporate R&D funding.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Comparative Report on S&T Cooperation of the ERA Countries with Brazil, India and Russia

Information on the means and extent of ERA countries' S&T cooperation with BR, IN and RU (BIR) is fragmented and not readily available. Often countries themselves re-orientate their strategies and internationalisation of their S&T policies according to emerging competitiveness and economic challenges. Therefore, to obtain better insights into ERA countries' international S&T cooperation with these countries, a questionnaire based approach was developed through the CREST Working Group on Internationalisation of R&D , focused on ERA countries' policies on internationalisation of S&T. It was aimed at providing an overview of their S&T cooperation policies, their dynamics, government strategies and related experiences with BIR. The report thus aims to provide an assessment of the status of public S&T cooperation based on analysis of questionnaire responses and further analytical work to identify good practices, common objectives and open questions. These in turn feed more focused discussions and possible transnational coordination of certain internationalisation policies with these countries. The original questionnaire data has been summarised and used to produce some composite indicators, which served as a basis for an overall comparative assessment. 23 completed sets of questionnaires and an additional single questionnaire had been received covering 21 MS representing approximately 75% of MS and 3 AC representing 60% of the addressed countries. A new assessment and benchmark methodology was developed for a thorough analysis of the questionnaire responses based on the quantification of numerous qualitative responses. Two models describing corresponding composite quantitative indicators were introduced for comparison of intensity of ERA countries' governmental S&T cooperation with BIR. Model 1 - Index "Degree of Networking" based on policy instruments implemented for international S&T cooperation with BIR in ERA countries; and Model 2 - Index "Cooperation Status" a composite indicator summing up information on ERA countries' S&T cooperation policy dynamic, institutional capacity and related policy measures, and practical implementation of S&T cooperation policies with BIR, together describing the overall S&T cooperation policy implementation framework for S&T internationalisation with BIR. Since the two models and indexes supplement each other, calculated numeric values for ERA countries were combined and the composite quantitative indicator named "Intensity of Cooperation" was introduced for integrated assessment of ERA countries' international S&T cooperation. A composite indicator for the assessment of policy relevance was related with performance of S&T cooperation policies alone, as well as with GERD as a proxy indicator for hard Input and scientific co-publications as Output indicator. On this basis, ERA countries were benchmarked and further comparative assessment/analysis of expected practical impacts of introduced and planned policies on internationalisation of S&T cooperation in ERA countries with BIR, based on comparisons of questionnaire data with the additional information obtained via data mining was made. Comparisons with information obtained via the Thomson Reuters Scientific ISI Web of Knowledge - ISI Science Citation Index (Expanded), Eurostat and EC, DG RTD Regional Key Figures Databases supported assessment of underlying reasons for good S&T cooperation practices. The report summarizes the lessons learnt from comparative perspective, addressing good practices in international S&T cooperation and, where possible, underlying reasons for successful practices were acknowledged.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Annual Report of the JRC-IPTS activities within the Danube-INCO.NET project

This annual report briefly reports on the activities of the JRC-IPTS project team in the Smart Specialisation Platform (S3P - as a part of the Knowledge for Growth Unit) in charge for the Danube-INCO.NET project. One of the main tasks of the Danube S3P team in charge of this FP7 project in the 2014-15 period was the identification of the most important Danube research and innovation (R&I) activities that could in future enhance the cooperation among the countries in the macro-region. R&I is a domain in which cooperation and knowledge-sharing across borders may crucially contribute to achieving the best possible results. Research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3) developed by countries and regions open a new dimension for collaboration. Collaboration in RIS3 means combining complementary strengths, achieving critical mass, building-up necessary capacities to overcome bottlenecks and integrate better into the global value chains. The concerted and coordinated R&I activities of the Danube countries/regions could thus contribute significantly to the competitiveness and economic growth of the macro-region in the coming years. Due to an important gap in the knowledge on the complementarity of the Danube countries' R&I strengths, the S3P Danube team's 2014-15 activities were aimed primarily at identification of the national and regional smart specialisation (S3) or simply R&I (for the non-EU countries) priorities of the Danube countries/regions and identify the common fields of R&I activities that could benefit from coordination and potential matchmaking at the macro-regional level. The purpose of this report is to briefly report about the work done on the project during the 2014-15 period and increase the knowledge on the S3 tools introduced to advance collaboration in RIS3 process, increase cooperation opportunities in R&I areas along the Danube in order to enhance transnational and inter-regional initiatives and to explore possible alignment of the Danube countries'/regions' R&I agendas in the future. Based on original data for 13 countries and 2 regions (DE) in the Danube area, the report explores opportunities of transforming complementary assets into common specialisations. Our analysis revealed 4 main fields for future collaboration: advanced materials and manufacturing (KETs), ICT, sustainable innovations, and health. These very broad priorities provide a starting point for R&I collaboration initiatives and matchmaking in the Danube macro-region.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Developing Danube R&I Projects across Borders – How to Make the Joint Use of EU-Funds a Reality?

This Policy Brief analyses the opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed and handled with an integrated approach in order to assure a well-supported and effective transnational cooperation in the Danube macro-region. Cooperation among Danube countries has particular importance as regards to coordination of Research and Innovation (R&I) activities since they contribute significantly to competitiveness and economic growth of the macro-region and are at the same time the areas where cooperation and knowledge sharing across borders may crucially contribute to achieving best results. The purpose of this Policy Brief is to identify and examine the key issues that can contribute to the enhanced R&I cooperation in the Danube macro-region. On the other hand the report also briefly summarizes discussions among the experts at the workshop organised by DG REGIO and DG JRC in Brussels in April 2014. The report thus aims to take a stock of the state-of-the art of the current Danube cooperation activities and provide some guidance to the stakeholders on how to best enhance R&I cooperation in the Danube macro-region. The guide attempts to highlight some concrete suggestions on how to better implement governance mechanisms of transnational R&I cooperation, to revise the existing financing tools of cross-border and transnational cooperation in support of the project holders, and points out some synergies between EU funding sources that may be exploited to facilitate transnational R&I cooperation in the Danube macro-region.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Supporting an Innovation Agenda for the Western Balkans - Tools and Methodologies

The Western Balkan region has significantly improved in terms of innovation performance in the last ten years. However, in catching up with other European regions, the focus of innovation efforts should be enhanced. Exports are still far more focused on medium- and low-technology products. Innovative efforts mostly accommodate traditionally strong sectors, which do not necessarily reflect the ideal competitiveness paths for economies in the region. Although some Western Balkan economies record increases in patent activity, patent intensity in the region is still low, while, on the other hand, scientific publication production displays a stable growth trend. While Western Balkan economies are at different stages in the formation of research and innovation (R&I) policy governance systems, national research and innovation policy frameworks are continuously being improved. The enhancement of governance in the area of R&I came as the result of increased capacity building activities in the region, as well as of the real needs emerging as a result of social and economic transformation. On the other hand, R&I systems in the Western Balkan economies need to continue shifting their focus towards businesses to provide better balance between public and private sector orientation. The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission is committed to supporting the shift in innovation policies and improvement of R&I efforts and governance in the Western Balkan economies through a number of tools and activities, allowing policy instruments to be matched with the specific needs of the economy. This approach seeks efficient governance mechanisms for R&I policy by reaching out to the business sector and other important actors of the innovation ecosystem. It determines sustainable development directions for economies and ensures the continuity of policy monitoring and evaluation cycles. This ambitious challenge is translated into four specific lines of activity: (i) the application of the smart specialisation methodology to design and implement innovation strategies; (ii) capacity-building activities for technology transfer, in particular through specialised workshops, tools and instruments specifically designed to assist the academic institutions in the regional economies; (iii) support to transnational collaboration and linkages in the context of EU macro-regional strategies; and (iv) data quality enhancement. The analysis of the development potential of the Western Balkan region in terms of economic, innovative and scientific capabilities in this report is supported with the good practices addressing specific challenges in the region.JRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

Smart Specialisation Platform

Smart Specialisation Platform: this is a collection of tools that are either described in their respective webpages but also in part in the following reports: Eye-RIS3 tool: - Jens Sorvik and Alexander Kleibrink, 2015. Mapping Innovation Priorities and Specialisation Patterns in Europe, JRC Working Papers JRC95227, Joint Research Centre (Seville site). ICT monitoring tool: - Jens Sorvik and Alexander Kleibrink, 2016. Mapping EU investments in ICT - description of an online tool and initial observations, JRC Working Papers JRC102233, Joint Research Centre (Seville site). ESIF viewer: Builds on more or less same data engine as the ICT monitoring tool. Regional Benchmarking: - Mikel Navarro, Juan Jose Gibaja, Susana Franco, Asier Murciego, Carlo Gianelle, Alexander Kleibrink, Fatime Barbara Hegyi, 2014. Regional benchmarking in the smart specialisation process: Identification of reference regions based on structural similarity, JRC Working Papers JRC89819, Joint Research Centre (Seville site). EU Trade tool: - Thissen M. et al. (2013), Regional Competitiveness and Smart Specialization in Europe, Edward Elgar. http://www.elgaronline.com/abstract/9781782545156.xml - Gianelle C. et al. (2014), Smart specialisation in the tangled web of European inter-regional trade, European Journal of Innovation Management, 17(4): 472-491. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/EJIM-10-2013-0113JRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen